Moving (back) to Scotland re Benefits

[52andblue]

I moved to Scotland in 1991.
In 2016 I had to move just across the border for my kids.
I am now moving back.
I am a Carer for them and receive HB & IS (legacy benefits)
Will it be a problem re DWP / LA that I've been out of Scotland for 4 years re benefits, does anyone know please?

bump

Because you are moving council areas, you will move onto Universal Credit instead. This would be the case whether you moved council areas within England or from England to Scotland.

Even if I am on legacy benefits @Rosit?

Yes, universal credit replaced a number of benefits, including housing benefit and income support, so you can no longer make new claims for them, and if you currently receive them, you will be moved onto universal credit if/when you report a change of circumstances - such as moving areas. There’s links to benefits calculators on the gov.uk website, and I’d advise you use thrm to see the amount of money you’d receive on universal credit as it may be lower than the amount you currently receive. Best to be able to make an informed decision!

OK thanks @Rosit
I'd asked a few places (charities / CAB) & been told it was a change of address, not a change of circumstances so as I had legacy benefits I'd not currently be put onto UC.
My worry was rather that I might not 'qualify' as I've been out of Scotland for 4 years. That is harder to pin down as English DWP cant say and Scottish DWP cant say till I move.

PP is correct, if you move council area you will need to move to universal credit. Yes you'll qualify as you've still been living in the UK.

How are you going to fund your move? Get a place to rent? You may be moved onto UC.

From the citizens advice website

Housing benefit is claimed from the council and no councils will accept new claims so that's why you'd need to claim UC.

I wont need to claim HB once I move but I will CTax benefit.
I will still claim Carer's allowance topped up by IS.

@52andblue

I wont need to claim HB once I move but I will CTax benefit. I will still claim Carer's allowance topped up by IS.

Then you'll be moved onto UC. All new claims to the council are UC ones.

Ah you probably won't have to move to UC then. I was thrown by you mentioning hb in your op.

@shouldistop

Ah you probably won't have to move to UC then. I was thrown by you mentioning hb in your op.

You will if you need to claim CTB. You have to apply to the council.

Council tax benefit is still applied to and paid for by councils I think, not UC.

Whereas new claims for hb are no longer dealt with by councils therefore triggers the change to uc

Sorry I should have mentioned that I will no longer need to claim HB as that is fairly important! Thank you for replies. It is helpful to know that the fact I've been temporarily (in the scheme of things) out of Scotland won't affect my benefits in itself.

@52andblue

Sorry I should have mentioned that I will no longer need to claim HB as that is fairly important! Thank you for replies. It is helpful to know that the fact I've been temporarily (in the scheme of things) out of Scotland won't affect my benefits in itself.

You really don't know that unless you're 100% the council won't move you to UC if you need to claim council tax benefit, regardless of not needing HB. All councils are UC, so if you're needing CTB you may well be moved to UC. You're making an assumption.

I'd rather not claim CT benefit (just get the reduction for single adult) than get put on UC. I get legacy benefits due to being disabled myself so all the agencies have said I'd be safe to move to a new area without UC being triggered. It was just moving back to Scotland that worried me.

If you're moving to Glasgow then contact Glasgow disability alliance, they'll make sure your benefits are all correct.

I hope all goes well for you - and welcome back to Scotland! There are devolved benefits too, that might be worth looking into.

@Rosit - thank you, that's a lovely thing to say xxx